Page 104 of Monstrosity
We must look ridiculous—a four-person dance huddle—but I've never been happier.
"Best wedding ever," Cali declares.
"The very best," Florencia agrees. "Can we do it again tomorrow?"
"Once is enough," Rio laughs. "But we can dance whenever you want."
As the night winds down and guests start leaving, everyone stops to hug us and offer congratulations.
Liam Mackenzie shakes Rio's hand formally, welcoming me to "the family" in his thick Irish accent.
Even he brought a gift—an envelope that Rio tucks away without opening, but I'm guessing it's cash to help with honeymoon expenses.
Soon it's just the core group left, and I find myself back where it all started—on our porch.
Rio joins me, two beers in hand, the girls finally crashed in their beds, exhausted from the excitement.
"Hell of a day," he says.
"Perfect day," I correct. "Everything was perfect."
"Even Emil nearly starting a fight with that guy?"
"What?" I missed that apparently.
"When you were dancing with your coffee shop regulars. That kid—what's his name, Brandon?—asked Saga to dance. Emil almost ripped his head off."
"And Saga?"
"Told Emil to mind his own business, danced with the kid anyway." Rio chuckles. "Emil spent the entire song glaring holes in the poor boy's head."
"Those two are going to realize what’s going on between them eventually" I observe.
"Or kill each other trying," Rio agrees. "My money's on combustion. Sexual tension like that has to go somewhere."
We sit in silence, still in our wedding clothes, watching the last of the lights twinkle in the backyard.
The crew will clean up tomorrow.
Tonight, it's just ours.
"Thank you," Rio says suddenly.
"For what?"
"For saying yes. For taking on me and my baggage and my kids. For becoming my wife." He takes my hand, thumb rubbing over my new ring. "For saving us."
"We saved each other," I correct. "That's what this is—two broken people who made something whole."
"Nothing broken about you."
"Not anymore," I agree. "Not since I found you."
He kisses me softly, and I taste promise and forever and home.
"Ready to go inside, wife?"
"Lead the way, husband."
